Morning Spin: Apache by Aaron Neville
Aaron Neville returns to funk and soul and reminisces about his life
Apache
Aaron Neville
Tell It Records TELIT001VLBN
Released 2016
Aaron Neville is a New Orleans musician who has earned success as a solo artist and as a member of The Neville Brothers. He had his first hit single in 1967 with “Tell It Like It Is” that reached no. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. He has also recorded and toured as a member of The Neville Brothers. He is the father of singer and keyboard player Ivan Neville who has been a member of Keith Richard’s solo band, The Xpensive Winos. The Neville Brothers opened for the Rolling Stones during their 1981 tour. Apache is Neville’s 19th solo studio album. His voice is just as silky smooth as ever as he glides through a collection of almost all original songs. At the age of 75 and much like many of his contemporaries, Neville is looking back on a long and well-lived life with humility and grace. But these are not just quiet reflections. Neville fires up with classic 1970s funk balanced by tender soul love songs such as the tribute to his wife, “Sarah Ann.” The album opens on fire with the gritty “Be Your Man” that could be the theme song to a Shaft movie sequel. The funky bass-heavy beat, stabbing horns, and call-and-response backing vocals drive a song about a strong man coming to the rescue. “Make Your Momma Cry” is another instant funk classic about revenge and trouble. “You and your friends better stop stealin’ all of them cars / Before you locked up behind them bars” is also a reference to Neville’s run in with the law at the age of 17. Neville recognizes his hometown in “Stompin’ Ground.” “My roots was down in New Orleans / The birth of jazz and voodoo queens … Grew up on the music of the streets / Second line bands and the Indian beats.” Marie Laveaux, Professor Longhair, and the “Great Satchmo” all get a mention. Apache serves as Neville’s end-of-career statement. He retired from touring in May 2021 at the age of 80 and indicated he may still record or perform occasionally. A remake of “Stompin’ Ground” recorded with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band received a 2023 Grammy for Best American Roots Performance. Neville recently published his memoir titled “Tell It Like It Is.”